Grading and ditching machine



(No Mode1.)" 5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

C. J. & A. 5.501555' 5 E. o. WATTIS.

GRADING AND DITUHING MACHINE.

ANo. 559,155. 555511555 Apr. 28, 1895.

(No Modl.) f 5 sheets-sheet 2. C. J'. 8v A. B. COREY 8u E. 0. WATTIS. GRADING AND 'DIIGHI-NG MACHINE.

No. 559,165. m Patented Apr. 2 8; 189.6.

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ummmmmv' m immmmmmi Willllllimmmmmm |mm mmmm 'mE-1 S Y (NoMoae'l.) Y i V sheets-sheet 3.

B. COREY 8v E. O. WATTIS.. v GRADING ANDv DITHING MACHINE.

Np. 559,165, l @te-Wd Apr. 28, 1896.

:i i .lllll I (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

C. J. & A. B. GOREY Sv E. 0. WATTIS.'

` GRADING AND DITGHING MAGHINB.

No. 559,165. v Patented Apr. '28, 1896.

(No Model.)

v 'SheetsY-Sheet 5. C; J. 8u A. B: GOREYSn E. 0. WATTIS.

GRADING AND DITGHING MAGHINB.

PatentedApr. 28, .1896.

LnA

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.'

CHARLES J. COREY, AMS' B. COREY, AND EDMUND O. VATTIS, OF OGDEN, UTAH.'

GRADING AND DITCHING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 559,165, dated April 28, 1,896. Application filed November 5,1894. Serial No. 527,912. (No model.)

T LZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLnsJ. Conny, Amos B. Conny, and EDMUND O. WATTIS, of Ogden, in the county of Veber and Territory of Utah, have invented anew Improvement in Grading and Ditching Machines; and w'e do hereby declare the following, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked there- Io on, to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, and which saidA drawings constitute part of this specication, and represent, in

Figure l, a broken plan view of a ditchingmachine constructed in accordance with our invention, the carrier and carrier-frame be* ing partly broken away; Fig. 2, a complete .View of the machine in side elevation; Fig. 3, a view thereof in rear elevation; Fig. 4, a zo broken view of the machine, drawn on a larger scale than the preceding figures, taken on the opposite side from Fig. 2 and showing in particular the elevatonwheel, the plow, the plowframe, the means employed for raising and lowering the latter, the delivery band or apron, and the box interposed -between the same and the elevator-wheel 5 Fig. 5, a broken view, in rear elevation, of the carrier and carrier-frame, the machine-frame and the fender 3o which coacts with the delivery-apron being shown in transverse section; Fig. 6, a detached plan view, on the same scale as Fig. 5, of the carrier, the delivery band or apron thereof being broken away to show the rolls which support it; Fig. 7, a det-ail view, in transverse section, of the shield or tailpiece of the plow; Fig. S, a detail view in side elevation, showin g the provision for the adjustment of the plow on the plow-frame. y

Our invention relates to an improved machine for gradingand ditching, and is adapted to be used, for instance, for grading city streets and country roads and railway* beds, and for excavating canals, irrigatingditches, and trenches for gas, water, and sewer pipes, dac. L

The Object of our invention is to provide a convenient and effective machine having a wide range of adjustments to adapt it to the requirements of different kinds of work.

NVith these ends in View our invention cor;-

sists in a grading and ditching machine having certain details of construction and coinbinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

As herein shown, the various instrumentalities of our machine are mounted upon a horizontally-arranged frame or body com- `posed of twolong parallel side pieces A A and portion of said body is supported upon a large wheel C, which, because it is utilizedas a source of power, We shall call the powerwheel, and also upon a wheel ofsubstan- 7o tially the same diameter and called, from its function, the elevator-wheel, and comprising a heavy hub D, wide fiat spokes D', two deep annular flanges D2 D2, secured t0 the outer ends of the said spokes, transverse bolts D3, uniting the inner edges of the ilanges, and an annularrim D4, located within the flanges at a point outside of the bolts D3 and forming the bottom wall of a deep rectangular groove, of which the flanges form the 8o side walls.

The outer edges of the flanges D2 are furnished with tires d, for it is to be understood that the elevator-wheel has, in addition to its function of elevating the excavated earth, the 8 5 function of carrying a part of the load. f

An axle E, mounted at its ends in the side pieces A A near the rear ends thereof, carries the power and elevator wheels above described.

A iiexible elevator-band F, Fig. et, formed of any suitable material and substantially corresponding in width to the width of the groove in the elevator-wheel, passes over the rim thereof and also over a small antifrictionroller F', located directly in front of the elevator-wheel above the center thereof and mounted in a bracket F2, located at the upperend of the upright F3, the lower end of which is connected with the body of the machine. roo The said band alsopasses over an antifriction-roller F4, journaled in the forward end of the bottom of a horizontally-arranged longitudinally-movable box or chute F5, substantially corresponding in width to the width of the groove in the elevator-wheel, and therefore to the width of the elevator-band. The in ner end of this box is cut away, as at f, to conformv it to the curvature of the elevatorwheel, and receives the elevator-band as the same leaves the wheel, while the outer end of the box or chute terminates over the delivery band or apron G, the arrangement and operation of which will be described later on. The said box or chute is mounted in a support f', arranged to slide back and forth in the bracket F2 before described, and is itself supported at its rear or inner end upon a short horizontal tie-rod f2, mounted in the upper ends of two rockarms f3, the lower ends of which arepivotally attached to the frame of the machine, and which swing back and forth. 'as the box is adj usted. Only one of the arms f2 is shown, but the other is like it.

For the purpose of moving the box in order to tighten or loosen the elevator-band l employ two chains H, each connected at one end to the said rod f2 and at the other end to a horizontal shaft I, carrying a hand-wheel l', Fig. 2, and also a ratchet-wheel l2, which is engaged by a pawl l2. The said shaftl is also utilized to. assist in supporting the forward end of the box F5.

Vhen it is desired to tighten the elevatorband, the hand-wheel is turned in the right direction for moving the box or chute away from the elevator-wheel, with the obvious effect of tightening the band. On the other hand, when it is desired toloosen the band the pawl 13 is disengaged from the ratchet' wheel, whereupon the tension of the band will operate to draw the box back toward the elevator-wheel until the band is relieved of all tension, or until it is loosened to the desired extent. l

A plow J, of any suitable construction, is employed to cooperate with the elevatorwheel, and to loosen, displace, and lift the earth, gravel, or sand preparatory to the elevation thereof by the said wheel. This plow is located below the elevator-wheel at a point just to the rear of the center thereof, and is carried by means of a suspended triangular plow-frame, embracing the elevator-wheel, so to speak, and extending rearward of the same and composed of two upright members K, two horizontal members K', two diagonal braces K2'and cross-pieces K3 and K4. The said plowframe is hung by means of plates K5, secured to its members K from the axle E, and therefore has the same center as the driving and elevator wheels. The plow itself is designed to substantially conform in width to the width of the groove in the elevator-wheel, and may be of any approved construction. As herein shown, it is itself suspended from a horizontal shaft J', the ends of which are mounted in bearings J2, secured to the horizontal members K of the plow-frame by means of clips J 3 J 3, applied to the said members so as to be moved back and forth thereupon by means of adj usting-bolts J4, the ends of which are respectively connected with the plow-f rame and the plow.

The point j of the plow merges at its rear or upper end into a long bowed tailpiece or shield j conforming in curvature to the curvature of the elevator-wheel, and located close to but out of contact with the periphery of the same, so as to virtually close a portion of the groove therein. The said shield is reinforced by two integral longitudinal iianges exten din g throughout its length, located upon its edges and extending rearward, making the tailpiece trough shaped in cross section though its smooth face is presented to the elevator-wheel while its dished face opens outward, The said tailpiece is backed by two long longitudinally-bowed supportingbars j2, located within the dished outer face of the tailpiece against the respective iianges thereof, and connected at their upper ends to the forked lower end of a tie jg, adjustably connected at its upper end with the crosspiece K4 of the plow-frame. A heavy brace l7'4 extends directly rearward from the point j of the plow to the cross-piece K3 of thel plowframe, and largelyassists in holding the plow up to its work.

For the purpose of raising and lowering the plow-frame, and hence for gaging the depth of the cut made by the plow, we employ a large hand-wheel L, mounted upon the outer end of a horizontal shaft L', journaled upon the horizontal side pieces M of a stage rigidly secured to the body of the machine and comprising, besides the said side pieces, uprights M' and cross-rods M2. A chain L2, connected atv one end with the cross-piece K3 of the plowframe and at the other end with the shaft L',

and a'chain L3, connected at one end with the said shaft and at the other end with the cross-piece K4 of the plow-frame, are wound upon the shaft according to the rotation of the hand-wheel L in one direction or the other for raising the frame and thus lifting the plow or for depressing the frame and positively forcing the plow deeper into the earth or sand. For the purpose of holding the frame in any of its adjustments the shaft L is furnished with two ratchet-wheels Z and Z', the teeth of which extend in opposite directions and which are engaged by oppositely arranged pawls Z2 and Z3, having operating-handles Z4, as clearly shown in Fig. et.

It will be understood that when the machine is being used a man standing upon the rear end of its body will manipulate the handwheel L according to the constantly-changing conditions under which such a machine works. Brushes or Scrapers N N (shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings) depend from the crosspiece M2 of the stage, before described, in position to keep the peripheries of the flanges D2 D2 of the elevator-wheel clean. le do not necessarily employ these brushes or scrapers,

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but prefer to use them, particularly if the soil being excavated is of a character which will cause it to adhere to the wheel.

The earth having been loosened by the plow and raised bythe elevator-wheel is discharged by the elev'atonband upon the endless delivery band or apron G, which is arranged at a right angle to the elevator-band as well as transversely to the machine. At its inner end the deliveryband passes over a wheel or drum G', mounted upon a horizontal shaft G3, connected with the body of the machine, while its outer end passes over a drum G3, mounted in the outer end of a suspended sectional car rier composed of an inner and an outer section arranged in line with each other and joined by means of two pairs of horseshoelike joint-pieces O 0', one pair of which is clearly shown in Fig. 3, said joint-pieces being firmly secured to each other by means of bolts o o'. The use of the said joint-pieces permits the outer carrier-section to be removed and interchan ged with other longer or shorter sections, as may be required by the nature of the work to be done and the distance the earth excavated must be carried to one side before it is deposited. Each of the said carrier-sections is composed of longitudinal pieces O2 and transverse pieces O3. Small antifriction-rollers O4, mounted in the side pieces of the two carrier-sections, support the endless delivery band or apron G between its inner and outer ends.

A pair of fenders P is applied to the sides of the inner carrier-section, while a corresponding pair of fenders P' is applied to the sides of the outer carrier-section, the said fenders consisting of long strips arranged vertically, and located so as to prevent the sand or earth upon the deliveryeband from escaping therefrom sidewise. These fenders are secured to the longitudinal pieces of the carrier by means of links P3, as shown in Fig. 3, which flexibly connect the fenders with the carrier-sections and permit the fenders either to be pushed down out of the way and retired or to be lifted into their operative positions, in which they are shown in the drawings.

A carrier-frame Q, mounted upon the body of the machine, is provided for the suspension of the carrier. If desired, this frame may be adapted to be reversed in position, so that the earth may be delivered from either side of the machine, as desired ,.butpreferably it will be delivered from the side of the machine opposite the elevator-wheel, as that secures the best balancing or counterpoising of the machine. The inner end of the crosspiece or stretcher O3 of the long inner carriersection is extended at its ends to rest upon the side rails of the carrier-frame, which it is held down upon by means of the strain imposed upon the carrier by means of two chains R, employed to tighten the delivery band or apron G, as Will be described later on. The outer end of the carrier is supported in a suspended position by means of two chains S,

secured at their `outer ends to chain-plates S', fastened to the short outer carrier-section, while their opposite ends are secured to a shaft S3, mounted horizontally in the carrier-frame, the said chains passing over pulleys S3 S3, mounted in the highest position of the frame. A hand-wheel T, mounted on the shaft S3, provides for taking up and letting out the chains S for raising or lowering the carrier, which is held in anydesired position of adjustment through the medium of a ratchetwheel T', mounted upon the shaft, and a suitable pawl T3, pivoted to the carrier-frame, as shown in Fig. 3.

The chains R, provided, as before mentioned, for tightening the delivery band or apron, are secured to hooks R', fastened to the inner carrier-section and at their opposite ends to a horizontal shaft R3, provided with a ratchet-wheel R3, with which a pawl R4 coacts. It will readily be understood that by turning the said Wheel in the right direction for taking up the chains R R the Whole carrier will be moved longitudinally outward, and any slack in the delivery band or apron taken up and the same tightened. 0n the other hand, by letting out the chains R R the tension of the delivery band r apron will operate to draw the carrier inward.

A stationary fender U, located at the inner end of the carrier, directly above the drivingdrum G', prevents the earth from escaping from the apron or band, particularly when it is dry or when the carrier is at a relatively high elevation. i

For driving the carrier we connect it with the power-wheel C. These connections may obviously be varied as required, but, as herein shown, they consist of a sprocket-Wheel V, mounted upon the shaft G3 and receiving a driving-chain V', the opposite end of which passes over a sprocket-Wheel V3, mounted upon a shaft V3, carrying a bevel-pinion V4, meshing into a bevel-Wheel V5, secured to the axle E, carrying the power-wheel C and the elevator-wheel. The sprocket-Wheel V2 is not constantly rotated, but is coupled with and uncoupled from the shaft by means of a clutch mechanism V6, which it is not thought necessary to describe, but which is operated by means of a lever o, connected With .an operating-bar o', the outer end of which is connected with a hand-lever '03, extending upward at the rear end of the machine in convenient position for being operated by the same operator who manipulates the handwheel L, which is used to control the position of the plow. i

lf desired, the power-wheel C may be replaced by another elevator-wheel substantially like that shown and described,in which case one or both of the elevator-wheels would also be made to do duty as power-Wheels by the use of suitable gearing connpctions, of which those above described will serve as an example. By replacing the power-wheel by another elevator-wheel, as suggested, the ca- IOO IIO

paeity of the machine will be doubled, but it will require morepower-t. e. horses-for its operation. In case two elevator-wheels are employed provision will preferably be made for the reversal of the carrier, so that the earth or sand may be delivered from either side of the machine.

The side draft of the machine is equalized by means of a bar IV, located in an inclined position between the twoside pieces A A of the machine-body, the bar being pivoted to one side piece and movably connected with the other by means of a chain W. A chain NVZ, connected. with the bar by means of a clevis IVS, which is shiftable in position thereon, leads forward to the pole B', while a heavy draft-rod VW, connected at'its forward end. with the bar W', extends rearward, where it is connected with the machinevframe at a point substantially in front of the elevatorwheel. The instrumentalities just describedprovide for equalizing the draft as may be required to adapt the machine to the various conditions of grade and soil which it may have to contend with.

It will be understood that when. the machine is in use the earth orsand will be raised by the elevator-wheel and thence dischargedlbyl the elevator-band upon the delivery band or apron, which will carry the earth and discharge it well to one side of the place where the machine is working and either upon the ground or upon wagons, cars, or trucks. In case the machine is adapted for digging ditches and trenches the front wheels B B will be separated enough to run on either side of the ditch or trench, on opposite sidesof which the horses will walk.

It is obvious that inA carrying out our invention changes in the construction and arrangement of the parts herein shown and' described may be made. We would therefore have it understood that we do not limit ourselves to the exact construction herein shown and described, but hold ourselves at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of our invention.

IIaving fully described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a ditching-machine, the combination with the frame thereof, of an elevator-wheel having an annular groove for the reception of the material excavated, a pivotally-suspended plow-frame, a plow mounted upon the plow-frame to the rear of the fulcrum thereof and adjustable back and forth on the said frame and therefore toward and away from the elevator-wheel, means connected with the machine-frame for swinging the plow-frame vertically to change the inclination of the entire plow, an elevator band or carrier surrounding the said Wheel at the bottom of the groove therein, and a delivery band or apron upon which the elevator band or apron discharges its freight, substantially as described.

2. In a ditching-machine, the combination with the frame thereof, of an elevator-wheel mounted therein and having an annular groove for the reception of the material eX- cavated, a pivotally-suspended plow-frame straddlin g the elevator-wheel,a plow mounted upon the substantially horizontal rear members of the plow-frame to the rear of the fulcrum thereof,y and adjustable back and forth von the said frame, and therefore toward and l away from the elevator-wheel, an adjusting device mounted upon the upper portion of the machine-frame and connected with the plow-frame for swinging the same vertically, and hence varying the inclination of the entire plow; an elevator band or carrier surrounding` the said elevator-Wheel at the botltom of the groove therein, and a delivery Iband or apron upon which the elevator band or apron discharges its freight, substantially as described.

8. In a ditching-machine, the combination with the frame thereof, of an elevatorvheel having an annular groove for the reception `of the material excavated, a pivotally-suspended plow-frame straddling the elevatorwheel, a plow carried bythe said frame, a

.hand-wheel mounted upon the upper portion of the mach-ine-frame and connected with the rear and forward portions of the'plow-frame, whereby the same may bev raised or lowered for changing the inclination 0f the plow, an elevator band or carrier surrounding the said wheel at the bottom of the groove therein, and a delivery band or apron upon which the elelvator band or apron discharges its freight,

substantially as set forth.

1l.. In a ditching-machine, the combination with the frame thereof, of an elevator-wheel mounted therein and having an annular groovefor receiving the material excavated, a pivotally suspended plow frame straddling the elevator-wheel, a plow mounted upon the substantially horizontal rear members of the plow-frame and adjustable back and forth thereupon, an adjusting device mounted'upon the upper portion of the machine-frame, and connected with the plow-frame for swinging the same vertically to change the inclination of the plow, an elevator band or carrier surrounding the wheel at the bottom of the groove therein, and a delivery band or apron upon which the elevator band or apron discharges its freight, substantially as described.

5. In a ditching-machine, the combination with the frame thereof, of an elevator-wheel having an annular groove, a plow for raising vthe earth into the said groove, a verticallyswinging pivotally suspended plow frame straddling the elevator-wheel, a plow connected with the rear portion of the said frame, an upwardly-extending curved tailpiece or shield forming an extension of the plow and connected at its upper end with the forward portion of the plow-frame, means connected 4with the plow-frame for swinging the same to change the inclination of the plow, and an IOO IIC

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elevator band or carrier surrounding the said wheel at the bottom of the groove thereof, substantially as described.

G. In a ditching-machine, the combination with the frame thereof, of an elevator-wheel having an annular groove, a vertically-swinging pivotally-suspended plow-frame straddling the elevator-wheel, a plow attached to the rear portion of the said plow-frame andA tially as described.

7. In a ditching-machine, the combination with an elevator-wheel having an annular groove, of aplow for lifting the earth into the said groove, an endless elevator-ban d surrounding the elevator-wheel and located in the bottom of the groove thereof, an endless delivery-band upon which the elevator-band discharges its freight, a boX located between the elevator-wheel and the delivery-band, and means for adjusting the box for tightening the elevator-band which is connected with it, substantially as set forth.

8. In a ditching-machine, the combination with the frame thereof, of an elevator-wheel containing an annular groove, a verticallyswinging, pivotally-suspended plow frame, straddling the elevator-wheel, a plow mounted upon the plow-frame to the rear of the fulcrum thereof, and adjustableback and forth on the said frame and therefore toward and away from the elevator-wheel,means mounted upon the upper portion of the machine-frame for raising and lowering the plow-frame to change the inclination of the entire plow, an elevator-band passing around the elevatorwheel, a delivery band or apron upon which the elevator-band 4discharges its freight, a power-wheel adapted to travel upon the earth, and mounted upon the same shaft as the elevator-wheel, the said wheels being respectively located on opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the machine, and connections between the said power-wheel and the delivery-point for the actuation of the same, substantially as described.

9. In a ditching-machine, the combination with the frame thereof, of excavating and elevating devices, a delivery-band upon which the material excavated is discharged, a carrier upon which the delivery-band is mounted, a carrier-frame arranged at a right angle to the machine-frame and having the carrier suspended in it in an inclined position, means connected with the outer end of the carrier for raising and lowering it, and devices for moving the carrier longitudinally to change the tension of the said delivery-band, the inner end of the carrier sliding, when so moved, upon the carrier-frame, substantially as described. i

l0. In a ditching-machine, the combination with a delivery band or apron, of a sectional carrier upon which the same is supported, and fenders mounted upon the said sections, along the sides thereof for preventing the sidewise escape of the earth upon the band or apron, the said fenders being movably connected withthe sections of the carrier by means of links, substantially as described.

l1. In a ditching-machine, the combination with the frame thereof, of an elevator-wheel having an annular groove, a plow-frame straddling the elevator-wheel and pivotally hung upon the same center as the same, a plow mounted upon the substantially horizontal rear members of the plow-frame at a point to the rear of the said center, and adjustable back and forth on the said frame, and therefore toward and away from the elevator-wheel, means mounted upon the upper portion of the machine-frame and connected with the substantially vertical and horizontal members of the plow-frame for raising and lowering thc frame, andan elevator-band encircling the elevator-wheel for lifting the material excavated by the plow, substantially as described. 12. In a ditching-machine, the combination with an elevator-wheel having an annular groove, of a plow` a suspended plow-frame in which the plow is mounted, an endless elevator-band encircling the wheel in the bottom of the groove thereof and extending forward from the wheel, a delivery band or apron upon which the elevator-band discharges its freight, a power-wheel mounted upon the same shaft as the elevator-wheel and traveling upon the ground, and driving connection between the said power-wheel and the delivery-band, substantially as set forth.

13. In a ditching-machine, the combination with an endless delivery band or apron, of a carrier upon which the same is supported, a carrier-frame, and means mounted in the said frame for the suspension of the outer end of the carrier, theinner end of which has a transverse stretcher projecting at its ends beyond the sides of the carrier, the said projecting ends of the carrier resting and sliding upon the carrier-frame; means mounted in the carrier-frame for positively moving the carrier outward, whereby the delivery-band is tightened and the sliding connection between the inner end of the carrier and carrier-frame maintained, substantially as set forth.

I4. In a ditching-machine, the combination with an elevator-wheel having an annular groove for receiving the earth, of a plow for raising the earth into the said groove while it is being elevated, a longitudinally-bowed shield extending-upward from the plow for holding the earth in the groove of the wheel IOO IIO

while itis being,` elevated, the said shield havspecification in the presence of two subscribing a smooth inner and a flanged outer face, ing witnesses.

longitudinally bowed supporting bars ap- CHARLES J. COREY. plied to the outer face of the said shield for AMOS B. COREY. 5 supporting the same, and means for reoeiv- EDMUND O. VATTIS.

ing and discharging the earth elevated by the Vitnesses: wheel, substantially as described. o C. M. BROUGH, In testimony whereof we have signed this C. E. COREY. 

